West Indies skipper, Kraigg Brathwaite is impressed with his team’s bowling performance on the second day of the first Test despite his team being 273 runs behind on first innings with four wickets in hand.
Sri Lanka lost three wickets on the opening day and converted their overnight score of 267 to 386 all out while West Indies closed the second day on 113 for six.
At the end of the day’s play, the captain said he was “very impressed with the all the guys’ efforts today.
“Obviously Sri Lanka batted [and] lost only three wickets, we came back today and fought, we kept it tight and I think that was key and we bowled them out so I thought that was key.”
Leading the bowling unit was off-spinning all-rounder, Roston Chase who picked up 5-83 while left-arm spinner, Jomel Warrican took 3-87. Fast bowler, Shannon Gabriel was also among the wickets, taking 2-69.
The batting order did not manage as well as for the visitors. Jermaine Blackwood was promoted to open after Jeremey Solozano suffered a concussion and added 46 for the first wicket with Brathwaite before he was dismissed for 20.
Solozano’s replacement, Shai Hope, was dismissed for 10 while Nkrumah Bonner, Chase and Warrican fell for single digit scores as off-spinner, Ramesh Mendis bagged 3-23.
“Shai was a bit unlucky,” Brathwaite opined.
Of Mendis, Brathwaite remarked, “The off-spinner bowled some good balls but obviously we would sit and review how we could better play the [bowlers] especially the off-spinner that got three scalps today.”
Brathwaite said that he was disappointed with his own batting display after being dismissed for 41 but vowed to make up for it.
He said, “The guys to come are looking forward to the challenge. We know it wouldn’t be easy but we will keep supporting.”
